Behind any treaty there is a secret treaty that is unknown to everyone. This is a basic principle in the international political game.
Even secret diplomacy is the core of diplomacy in this era. Countries and I use secret negotiations and alliances with each other to win the interests of our own countries as much as possible.
What is the scariest thing about secret diplomacy?
That is, you never know what is behind secret diplomacy. But one thing is for sure, in any secret diplomacy or secret treaty, there will be hunters and prey.
When the news of the signing of the "Four-Nation Alliance Treaty" was exposed to the world, all the countries were speculating about what the four empires were planning.
What are they planning?
No one knows, but one thing is certain, it is definitely not as simple as "exposed".
In order to deceive others, some actions are always needed.
What kind of action is taken?
In fact, Emperor Zhu Da had already known about the so-called "covering up people's eyes and ears" and already had a specific plan.
For example, regarding the ownership of "Hawaii", the Ming Dynasty has always been eyeing Hawaii. At least Emperor Zhu Da has been coveting Hawaii for many years. However, due to factors such as Britain and France, he can only look at it with helplessness.
Look there.
Now is the time to throw out Hawaii to cover up the real goals of the four countries. In fact, there is not only one Hawaii. In order to cover up the ultimate goal, France, Russia and Austria-Hungary will all expand in Africa to some extent.
To a certain extent, the "Vienna Conference" is basically equivalent to an "African Partition Conference". Of course, these are just smoke bombs, just smoke used to confuse other countries.
But what Zhu Xianhai didn't know was that the news of the "Four-Nation Alliance" not only caused a strong response in Europe, but also caused a sensation in the Americas. The Brazilian Emperor Pedro I directly sent the foreign minister to Yingtian to ask whether the treaty was
There are provisions against Brazil. As for all walks of life in the United States, they even believe that the secret treaty has provisions against the United States.
In short, a seemingly inconspicuous "good-neighborly and friendly treaty aimed at eliminating war and maintaining peace" has caused unprecedented repercussions around the world. However, this world does not include East Asia. For East Asian countries,
It is said that no matter how the world changes, they still live their own lives, or live their own lives according to their own ideas.
The end of 1874 was not a good time for Governor Li of the Qing Dynasty.
He is very worried these days.
What are you worried about?
Of course, it’s still the matter of Sassoon’s “kidnapping” a few months ago.
Several months have passed, but there has been no news from Sassoon. For this reason, the British consul and British companies have protested to him many times. The British even sent a warship from Hong Kong to visit Haizhou.
As soon as he entered the Governor's study, Zhao Tianfeng heard Governor Li sigh.
"Ziqing, who do you think kidnapped this Sassoon?"
Before Zhao Tianfeng could speak, Governor Li continued.
"Logically speaking, since it happened in the concession, it has nothing to do with us. But Sassoon... although he is a British Indian, his family's influence is very great, and his family is even related to the British
My big family has in-laws. If this matter is handled uncontrollably, you may not know what kind of trouble it will cause."
Opening his eyes and looking at Zhao Tianfeng, Governor Li said.
"I don't know how many people and pairs of eyes are staring at me from all over the Qing Dynasty. What do you think Li will do if I cause any trouble?"
Facing the Governor's inquiry, Zhao Tianfeng said.
"Sir, I have almost found out who did this."
"What? What news do you have?"
Governor Li, who was already extremely busy, immediately said in surprise.
"Roughly the same."
While talking, Zhao Tianfeng took out a copy of "Ming Pao" published in the Ming Concession, and then said.
"Sir, have you read the "Ming Pao" published today?"
"No time to see it! Now in the imperial court, the British are asking me about Sassoon's whereabouts. Can it be as if I, Li, kidnapped him? Is there any spare time to ask other questions?"
Governor Li even wondered whether Sassoon might have been kidnapped by people from the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in the south and then framed him. Otherwise, whoever had enough time to eat would kidnap such a person. After thinking about it, the only one who could do it was the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
There would be a motive to attack such a person. The reason why they kidnapped Sassoon must be to cause a diplomatic dispute and force the imperial court to fire him.
Without him, Li Hefei, who else in the world can withstand the spear attack!
"Sir, you'd better take a look."
Zhao Tianfeng delivered the newspaper. Your Excellency is safe, and then said.
"Well, news the size of a piece of tofu may seem inconspicuous, but in this matter, the lack of security has something to do with Sassoon."
"Is Bao Buqi related to Sassoon? What is the relationship?"
Governor Li took the newspaper and glanced at it twice, and then saw the report on the "Four-Nation Treaty".
Of course he had heard about the "Four-Nation Treaty", but in his opinion it had nothing to do with him at all. Of course he said so, but in his heart Governor Li really envied the Ming Dynasty's status.
They were all able to sit on an equal footing with big countries like France, Russia, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire and sign treaties, but the Qing Dynasty...well, it was also a big country in China.
However, there is nothing news about this treaty. It is nothing more than about friendly coexistence, enhancing mutual trust, and maintaining peace. It is just empty words, clichés, and emptiness.
Continuing to look down, he soon saw another news article.
"Hundreds of drug dealers are on the verge of arrest!"
The content of the news only contained more than 100 words, but the information revealed made Governor Li shocked.
"This, this... they actually went to Peru to arrest people who trafficked drugs to them?"
"Not only did they arrest people, but they were also killed directly. I almost found out that it was Sassoon's foreign company that sold the cigarettes to Peru."
When Zhao Tianfeng said this, Governor Li immediately said.
"This... So, that guy also sold cigarettes to Ming Dynasty..."
Standing up abruptly, Governor Li clapped his hands and said excitedly.
"Let me tell you, who in the world dared to kidnap a decent foreigner like Sassoon. After a long time, it turned out to be that group of people. They really had the courage to kidnap a decent foreigner like Sassoon.
Even the British dare to kidnap, so we are not afraid of the British..."
But having said that, they are indeed not afraid of the British. If they were afraid of the British, they probably wouldn't do this. After all, the Ming Dynasty is not the Qing Dynasty.
"As expected of the Ming Dynasty, things are always unexpected..."
When the words came to his lips, Governor Li looked at Zhao Tianfeng and said.
"But we have no evidence for this matter. How can we make the British believe us when we make empty claims?"
Of course, what he needs is not that the British believe in him, but that the British can stop bothering him about this matter. The court is not putting pressure on him because of Sassoon's affairs. As for Sassoon's life and death, he simply doesn't care.
not give a damn about.
"Sir, you are going to Haizhou. Go and ask Consul Liu in person what he means?"
Zhao Tianfeng said with a smile. As a person from Nanhua, he has not dared to go to the Ming Concession in Haizhou until now, even after knowing that the Ming Dynasty did not take him as a "traitor" seriously at all, and even here in recent years
Bian also met a few old friends from Nanhua. He also avoided the Ming Concession intentionally or unintentionally?
Why is this so?
It may be because of a guilty conscience, or it may be because... everyone has his own ideas and persistence. Zhao Tianfeng has his own ideas.
"You should ask."
Governor Li thought for a while and then said.
"They have caused me so much trouble, and I want to hear how Liu, his surname, explains this matter?"
This chapter has been completed!